Deoffshorization and anti-Russian sanctions

Abstract

The article assesses the main results of the campaign for deoffshorization of the Russian economy in 2012-2018. Along with certain positive results, at the first stage it was not possible to overcome differences in the interests of individual participants in the process of deoffshorization. The introduction of Western sanctions against some Russian companies and individuals since 2014 creates new realities for deoffshorization. On the one hand, there is a significant increase in the pressure on off shore assets, which pushes their beneficiaries to return capital to Russia. On the other hand, these same sanctions force us to seek ways to conceal the capitals that have fallen under them, which contradicts the ideology of the deoff shorization policy and Russia’s international obligations. In this connection, it is proposed to pursue a more flexible policy that does not contravene the country’s international obligations, but at the same time it meets its interests of preserving national economic sovereignty.